This conference is the first in a new series of annual seminars dedicated to sharing high-quality social science data and analysis addressing questions of religious practices and social welfare and to exploring the next steps for research that will inform American public discussion.

The conference is sponsored by the Heritage Foundation, a group "committed to building an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity and civil society flourish." Baylor ISR is a research partner with the Heritage Foundation, which is hosting the event through funding from the John Templeton Foundation.

Several Baylor faculty members are speaking at sessions during the conference, which is expected to draw nearly 200 attendees. Dr. Chris Bader, assistant professor of sociology, and Dr. Carson Mencken, associate professor of sociology, will speak during the opening session on "Religious Practice and Civic Engagement: A Demographic Overview and Emerging Data." Dr. Sung Joon Jang, associate professor of sociology, and Dr. Byron Johnson, professor of sociology and co-director of the Baylor ISR, will speak during the keynote address, "Myths About American Religion."

"The opportunity to work with this conference is significant because it allows journalists and those involved with public policy to get a glimpse of cutting-edge research on religion and to see how religion affects our society in important ways," Johnson said.

Johnson said he plans for Baylor ISR to collaborate on these conferences for the next few years.

For more information about the conference, please contact Baylor ISR at (254) 710-2841.